Angling Notes:One of the highlights on my fishing calendar is the annual invitation from Des Chew to attend the youth fishing competition at the Angling for All facility in Aughrim, Co Wicklow. Hosted by the Dublin Angling Initiative (DAI), the event is the culmination of DAI courses held throughout the summer and affords juniors the opportunity to ply their skills at catching rainbow trout.
Held on a glorious day, this year's competition was again well attended, with 27 juniors and leaders from Whitechurch, Killinarden, Mulhuddart, Blanchardstown and Jobstown project groups. The fish too were in biting form and although many "slipped off" the barbless hooks, a total of 17 were caught and released.
Following a whistle-start at noon, teams hastily made their way to a favoured position at the lakeside, equipped with assembled fishing rods and bait for two hours of competitive angling. Team leaders baited hooks and sorted out the inevitable tangles.
At the prize-giving, each competitor was presented with a rod, reel, landing net or tackle box, sponsored by the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board. The DAI would like to thank the Angling for All facility for sponsoring the venue and Chris McGregor of Tolka River Alliance for assisting with the fishing on the day.
As DAI administrator, Des Chew - ably assisted by Hazel Dobbyn and Josie Mahon - has achieved a lot. Apart from introducing hundreds of teenagers to angling, they hold frequent workshops in schools and youth clubs and organise fishing outings in the Dublin region on a regular basis.
Results: 1, Killinarden (Key Project team with nine fish): Thomas Joyce, Darren Keegan, Daniel Howe and Daniel Paige. 2, Jobstown (JAY project team with five fish). Best individual angler: Thomas Joyce with five fish.
The four-acre lake is set in beautiful natural surroundings and only a stone's throw from the town. Rod hire, toilet facilities, car parking, coffee dock and full wheelchair accessibility ensure the highest standards for the angler. The lake is also open all year round.
For further details, contact Martina on 0402-36552, or e-mail aughrim@eircom.net.
Anglers wishing to take part in this year's Catch and Release Incentive Scheme are advised to do so immediately. The scheme, which has an array of prizes, was set up to acknowledge those anglers who practised catch and release for wild Atlantic salmon throughout the 2007 season.
To enter, go to www.cfb.ie/pr/ catchandrelease07.htm, or e-mail Thomas at tmcgrory@cfb.ie
A meeting to discuss key issues affecting waters - rivers, lakes, groundwater, estuaries and coastal waters - in your local area will take place tomorrow from 7pm to 10pm in the Cavan Crystal Hotel, Cavan. Refreshments will be provided.
Representatives from the local authority and River Basin District project team will provide information on water management issues and views will be considered when preparing a river basin management plan for each region. For further details, e-mail lisa.condon@rpsgroup.com.
Preliminary figures released by the RNLI show that during the months of June, July and August, 370 people were rescued at 43 stations around the coast and inland. The lifeboats were launched 426 times during these months. The busiest station was Arranmore in Co Donegal, which launched 25 times and rescued 21 people, while Kilmore Quay rescued 49 people during 17 launches. The two inland stations at Dromineer in Co Tipperary and Enniskillen in Co Fermanagh launched 18 times and rescued 10 people.
Now the charity is calling on the public to get involved with RNLI SOS day on Friday, January 25th. Fund-raising packs are available at www.rnli.ie/sos or by calling 1800-789589.
A company in Tredegar, Wales, was ordered to pay £30,000 (€41,900) after pleading guilty to polluting the Nant-y-Bwch and River Sirhowy, which killed 13,000 fish, aquatic insects and a kingfisher.
After polluting both rivers with glycerine and fatty acids the company was fined £19,000 (€26,500) and ordered to pay costs of £11,861 (€16,560) for the clean-up operation, in a prosecution brought by Environment Agency Wales at Abergavenny Magistrates Court.
The pollution caused five kilometres of the river to turn white and in many places a thick cream-like layer of an unknown substance formed. Environment officer Caitriona Murphy said: "This incident could easily have been avoided, but instead it caused significant damage to the river and wildlife, could take years to recover."
Corkagh Park Fishery, Dublin: The winter league is scheduled to start on December 2nd. Details will appear on www.corkaghpark.com.
angling@irish-times.ie